davenew

https://beyondcruise.com/guides/everything-msc-magnifica-part-5

 

There’s no limit to how many drinks you can order. Excluded items have * (available with deluxe package) or ** (not included in any package)

 

 

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Thanks

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Travelling in October and thinking about the purchase of the All Inclusive drinks package (not deluxe).

Can anyone tell me what drinks do they EXCLUDE from this package, cocktails specially, and do they limit the number of drinks. It sounds a good deal but actual information is sketchy.Thanks in advance.

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No sorry, did not go to Honfleur. When we have been to Le Havre previously we have walked into town.

In Hamburg we did not berth at the Steinwerder cruise terminal as there was another ship berthed there. We were berthed on the north (city) side of the river near the fish market and U boat museum, about 3 km from St Pauli. It was walkable.

Many thanks [emoji106]

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I can help with some of this as we were on Magnifica two weeks ago on a similar itinerary. Adult shuttle fares: Le Harve €6.90, Hamburg €15.90. Amsterdam we berthed not far from the main station so walkable. We did not visit Zeebrugge.

 

However you should be aware that the ship will dock as directed by the Harbour Authority and so your designated berth can sometimes change.

 

Enjoy your trip, we certainly did.

Thanks.

Why was Hamburg so expensive?

In Le Havre, did you visit Honfleur? If yes, what do you suggest for transport. Thanks a lot.

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We are going on Magnifica in October - Le Havre, Amsterdam, Zeebruge and Hamburg.

Can anyone confirm where the ship actually docks please. I have read that they are way out and MSC charge ridiculous amounts for shuttle buses.

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i applied about a week ago, am currently diamond plus on rccl.

Took me two days to get a reply to my email.

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Thanks a lot everybody

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So yesterday my boyfriend and I were given our cabin number on the Oceana. We leave on the 14th of June. We paid for a guaranteed balcony cabin. However the cabin we have received just isn’t up to standards! We are loyal customers and are paying a lot of money to go on this holiday. We have been given,what P&O call a ‘railway cabin’, it’s long and narrow and has 1 fixed single bed with 3 Pullman beds!!!! We are a couple and didn’t expect this whatsoever. We have spoken to P&O but the cruise is full booked so can’t even upgrade us!!! Can someone put me at ease and give some advice??????

 

 

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You booked a guaranteed balcony, and that is exactly what they have allocated. It looks like you and your boyfriend are in for a cosy cruise. Enjoy it.

Its obviously a lottery, but depends on what is available after others have laid for their exact cabins.

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Is boarding front and back or just front?

It all depends on the airport, and if the aircraft is on or off stand, i.e. if they are using the airbridge or not.

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Hi there, we are newbies to MSC and are taking an October sailing on Magnifica out of Southampton.

What is the dress code for non formal nights please. Are they the same as RCCI, Princess and P&O?

Many thanks

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Hi we really enjoyed MSc especially as we were given their black card when we did the loyalty match, we will definitely cruise with them again

Theyve given us the same status (black) - what was so good about it pls.

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Check out the ports section of CC too.

Who ran the shuttle? Thanks

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Have you made sure everything has been added on the cruise personaliser and you have green ticks by all the details you have to enter, ie passport. If you have then e ticket should be available any time soon. Just keep checking. Sometimes you get an email.

All green ticks [emoji106]

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We received our holiday pack, including labels, 3 days ago.

Today, the cruise personaliser is still showing as Not Available.

??? Answers on a postcard please [emoji12]

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Coffee only

 

 

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On Ventura last year, they served me hot chocolate on my prepaid card whenever I asked, but this was not so on Britannia.

There was never a rejection.

I cannot see the issue as coffee and chocolate were in the same price range.

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Having seen P&O up the auto gratuities in the space of a year from £5 to £6 to £7 per person per day (and finding this year and last year they implemented it just before we sail(ed) I emailed P&O. They responded with a phone call.

 

 

 

To my suggestion that they should cut the gratuities and just pay the staff a decent wage that the passengers don't have to subsidise with gratuities, I was told they are paid an above industry average wage which is "fair and proportional". He added that the gratuity is for service above and beyond. This goes against the general belief that they pay a poor wage which is only made worthwhile for the crew members once the gratuities are added on top. He also said that they have surveyed their passengers, and the majority don't want the gratuity included in the fare.

 

 

 

I got no real comment on the view that the gratuities have gone up so that those who still pay it are making up for the shortfall of those who withhold it.

 

 

 

He said that increasing the gratuity brings them more in line with other brands. He was not impressed that I pointed out that that seems to be a case of, "well if the others lines can screw more money out of the punters, then so can we".

 

 

 

I often hear accusations that the cruise lines line their own pockets with the gratuities. I was assured that for P&O, all of the gratuity money goes to the staff, none goes to the company. However, if a staff member is on a disciplinary, then they don't get their gratuity. Out of curiosity I asked where that money goes, but was told he was not permitted to say, but repeated that it does not go to the company. I'm still curious as to where it goes.

The question is, what is above and beyond?

They provide a service which, to be fair, they are trained for, and deliver. Like all rating systems, your delight at the service on your first cruise then becomes your expectations, and therefore difficult to go above and beyond in your rating.

If thats the response you received, then the have no right to impose the additional gratuities, unless P&O consider the level of service below above and beyond, to be an acceptable start point in the service they intend to provide.

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Just booked our 1st cruise with MSC and was having trouble joining the Voyager Club online, so I phoned customer services and a pleasant young lady advised me to email VC directly.

I compiled a very polite email with my details and screen shots of my RCI account (as this was the best status) and pinged it off last night.

This morning I received a nice reply, giving me a status match to MSC Gold, and the added bonus of 5% of our booking.

Now, if P&O or RCI read this, this is what customer service is all about.

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Hi we are on Azura in a few weeks and have friends travelling on the same cruise.

 

We have opted for freedom dining as have our friends.

 

My question is, do we need to link the bookings to ensure we are allocated the same restaurant or is it ok to go to any.

 

TIA.

To be sure, link your bookings.

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We get a case whenever we book with Vision Cruise.

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No, should depend on service given

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Up until now our single cruise has been with RCI. We're booked to go again with them this year. However for next year all the choices at the moment are P&O but I'm unsure.

 

 

 

What I enjoyed this year on RCI was being part of a multi-national group of passengers. 50 plus countries represented. Announcements in 3 languages etc

 

 

 

What I don't want from a holiday is an upgraded Butlin's full of Brits wearing football shirts. Now I know that says far more about me than them but that's just the way I am.

 

 

 

The first thing I have done on looking at the cruises is to go to You Tube and view the ships. What caught my eye was the setting off from Southampton with all the Union Jacks and singing of patriotic songs.

 

 

 

What are the cruises actually like? The adverts at the moment with Rob Brydon seem my type of cruise and I am struggling to know which is the reality or do you make your own reality.

 

 

 

I know this makes me come across as a bit of a snob and I am indeed a bit like that but more I know what sort of holiday I would enjoy and enforced jollity isn't my cup of tea.

We have done 4 on each. Initially RCI and then P&O.

IMHO, and fear of being shot down, RCI are for the young at heart and mixed clientele, and P&O are for mainly Brits and cater for the relaxed cruiser. That is reflected by the on board entertainment.

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Just back from 10 day Serenade cruise. With over 350 D&D+, total available seating in DL was 34. Long waits for drinks each night as well as almost zero seating. We all asked why the door connecting the Vortex lounge with DL was not opened to create a normal overflow area (this was done each night on this same ship back in 2015 NE cruise).

 

The diamond concierge said it was "corporate decision to keep this door shut".

 

I have never experienced such an overcrowded DL in all the cruises we have taken as diamonds. Most others we talked to agreed.

 

Needless to say, there were a lot of pissed off guests each night. Most of them got so frustrated they left and used their sea pass drinks elsewhere.

 

Now I don't have a problem with the 3 free sea pass drinks.....however, as diamonds, the DL experience is important for meeting old friends and socializing in your own private lounge. This is what loyal customers pay their money on and expect a consistent corp. policy (providing adequate overflow areas with proper personnel).

 

Please, chime in diamond members if you have had similar recent DL issues.

 

I would hate to think corporate is modifying their DL policy to put profit over loyalty.

You should have gone to Guest Services waving your D+ and shouting Diamond Member

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Has anyone stayed here? Considering it for the night before our flight.

 

Any info gratefully received.

Can also recommend Hilton, it has better views of the airport. It also has shuttle bus.

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Does anybody know if there is Trolley Train operating near the port, and if so, where does it pick up near the port. Many thanks

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So in 5 years time the P&O fleet is likely to be the two new mega ships, Britannia, Azura and Ventura and maybe Arcadia.

No smaller ships at all. Big ships going to big ports.

For how many of us will this be a big NO and we will have to hunt around for a proper cruise experience. And this will cost us more but that is down to us.

On the other hand how many of us think actually this sounds fantastic, I can imagine it appealing to families a lot.

 

 

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The mega ships are great, and the way forward.

If you want the small, gas guzzlers, then change your cruiseline, but leave the mega ships alone.

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